Forge Institute Receives Funding, Partners to Launch Structured Programs to Drive High-Growth Entrepreneurial Ventures in the Energy Sector
The Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber, a pre-accelerator program focused on growing innovations for grid-connected resilience, and the Forge Institute Mentorship Program, both designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the diverse array of grid-connected entities and utilities. These programs are funded through an award from UA Little Rock, which received $5 million in federal funding championed by U.S. Senator John Boozman to enhance cybersecurity capabilities across the region.
EMBERS XCELERATOR: GRID-CONNECTED CYBER
Applications have opened and close on Friday, August 30. Participants in the Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber will benefit from a comprehensive 12-week curriculum that was built by seasoned entrepreneurs and includes a purposeful and deliberate focus on developing and validating business models, understanding the compliance and regulatory environment, developing a minimum viable product and refining the go-to-market strategies of each startup. The program will be presented by serial entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, industry excerpts and will provide access to the knowledge and experience needed to validate business hypotheses and gain traction. The virtual nature of the course allows for flexible learning and enables participants to engage in interactive lectures, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and group activities.
FORGE INSTITUTE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Each entrepreneur will have access to the Forge Institute Mentorship Program, a key component of our comprehensive strategy to develop high-growth ventures. Each mentor goes through a rigorous application and vetting process, followed by a half-day of training. The training program consists of a structured curriculum, guest speakers, a panel presented by Senior Mentors, and a thorough review of the materials. Forge Institute recently trained 12 mentors in its first training session earlier this month. Each mentor brings a wealth of real-world experience and is able to help guide mentees through the complexities of starting and growing a business, developing products, gaining customer traction and a myriad of other business functions. The structured curriculum ensures that participants gain practical, hands-on experience, making this program uniquely effective in helping entrepreneurs navigate business growth.
Our current roster of trained mentors include:
Lanny Lancaster, Retired FIS Executive in Business Resilience
James Hendren, PhD, Entrepreneur & Investor
Donovan Kelly, Chief Information Security Officer, Arcanum Technologies
Gary Stoops, Retired FBI & Member, Board of Advisors, Forge Institute
Walter Burgess, Co-CEO & CTO, Power Technologies
David DePoyster, VP, Senior Client Executive, Optum
Stephanie Pace, Managing Director-Enterprise Accounts Group, FIS
Alese Johnston, Founder & CEO, Storage Trader
Paul Gower, Senior Software Engineer, Power Auctions
Derek Dyson, CEO, Today’s Power
Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute
Tom Flak, Director Cyber Programs, Forge Institute
"We are on the cusp of a national revolution in cybersecurity and grid resilience right here in Arkansas. The collaboration between the Forge Institute and the members of the Consortium for Cyber Innovation signifies a monumental leap towards safeguarding our nation's energy and grid-connected infrastructure. By aligning efforts and building strong, sustainable collaborations, we can greatly accelerate the commercialization of classroom or lab developed technologies and help support startups building next-generation solutions to better protect our nation’s expanding power grid. I am grateful to Dr. Huff, Dr. Farnell, Dr. Wangila, and the entire UA Little Rock, University of Arkansas, and UA Pine Bluff teams for their purposeful collaborations.” - Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute
Senator John Boozman has provided his steadfast support which has been instrumental in this endeavor. With these new programs, the Forge Institute is not just incubating early-stage ideas; we are nurturing the seeds of national security and grid resilience. Rooted in the heart of Arkansas, these collaborations will be a beacon of American innovation and determination, setting a pioneering path for the rest of the country to follow." - Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute
Additionally, the Forge Institute is offering participants the opportunity to become members of the Emerging Threat Center (ET-ISAC). Membership provides access to a community of innovators and cybersecurity experts, ability to participate in ongoing threat intelligence analysis, collaborative research, and access to relevant training opportunities. The ETC currently has dozens of members from all over Arkansas and surrounding states.
"Cybersecurity and resiliency are national priorities that require innovative solutions and private-public collaboration. I am proud to support the Forge Institute, UA Little Rock and the CCI in their efforts to lead in the development of crucial cybersecurity infrastructure right here in Arkansas." Senator John Boozman
"This collective team has worked together now to build innovative capabilities, provide unique opportunities for Arkansas students and most importantly, listen to professionals as we develop training and technologies to support the needs of our industry partners.” Philip Huff, PhD, Professor Cybersecurity, UA Little Rock
NEXT STEPS
Applications are currently being accepted for entrepreneurs and mentors. Priority is given to those with a strong entrepreneurial commitment. U.S. citizenship is required. If you are interested in being a part of either program, please apply at: www.forge.institute/innovation.
If you’re a grid-connected entity, including a utility and would like to become a member of the Emerging Threat Center (ET-ISAC), please visit https://www.forge.institute/etc to apply.
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Key Facts:
The Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber, a pre-accelerator program focused on growing innovations for grid-connected resilience, and the Forge Institute Mentorship Program, both designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the diverse array of grid-connected entities and utilities.
The Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber program is a comprehensive 12-week curriculum that was built by seasoned entrepreneurs and includes a purposeful and deliberate focus on developing and validating business models, understanding the compliance and regulatory environment, developing a minimum viable product and refining the go-to-market strategies of each startup.
Forge Institute recently trained 12 mentors, each one bringing a wealth of real-world experience to help guide mentees through the complexities of starting and growing a business, developing products, gaining customer traction and a myriad of other business functions.
